Our View: Kansas must stop Kobach power grab

Hannity recently told Kobach he'd endorse his run for governor of Kansas, which was no surprise because they’re both right-wing extremists.

Hannity’s outrageous conspiracy theories and other baseless claims have alienated even conservatives nationwide. His endorsement means nothing to reasonable Kansans.

Still, it’s easy to see why Hannity would support someone who’s twisted duties of his office to achieve personal political goals.

Kobach has abused the position of secretary of state by devoting inordinate time to policy changes designed to suppress the vote. There’s no other way to size up what’s happened in Kansas, where tens of thousands of prospective voters were stymied by proof-of-citizenship restrictions designed to disenfranchise certain people — namely the poor, minorities, elderly, disabled and younger residents more likely to reject the ultraconservative agenda.

Kobach’s fixation on rampant voter fraud by illegal immigrants — in itself a fraudulent claim — has been a handy way to pander to the anti-immigrant, white nationalist crowd.

The changes Kobach inspired brought multiple losses in court, at a cost to Kansas, yet he remains undeterred.

He’ll not only stay the course, but ramp it up — which means Kansans have plenty to fear in giving Kobach more power as governor.

As part of the discussion with Hannity over the notion of running for governor instead of federal office, Kobach said office holders at both levels had important responsibilities, but a governorship stood out for one key reason.

“As governor,” Kobach said, “you can actually make a lot of change and do it quickly.”

That sentiment alone should make Kansans shudder.

Kansas does indeed need change, but to mend the recent, far-reaching damage caused by Gov. Sam Brownback and his ultraconservative wrecking crew.

Kobach wholeheartedly defended the Brownback income tax-cut scheme that mired Kansas in fiscal turmoil, and would do his best to saddle the state with still more from a Koch brothers-fueled quest to reward the rich and shortchange all others.

Kobach — who also views the governor’s office as a springboard to a run for president — openly embraces the same ideology that made Brownback the least popular governor in the nation. Kansas cannot afford a sequel.

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